Spring Valley, NY - The vibrations from workers jack-hammering an old school administration building’s balcony for removal caused an asbestos-insulated ceiling to partially collapse Friday, showering laborers with debris and causing them to suffer cuts and bruises, authorities said.
The building’s owner, United Talmudical Academy religious school, lacked a village permit to take down the mezzanine level of the South Main Street building and has been issued violation notices and a stop work order, authorities said.
The Satmar Hasidic Jewish religious institution filed for the permit but had not gotten approval as the Building Department still was reviewing its plans for the old East Ramapo School District Administration building at 89 S. Main St., just off Route 59.
“They were trying to remove the balcony without a permit,” Spring Valley Fire Department Capt. Ray Canario said. “In the process of jack-hammering, the ceiling came crashing down. I’d say six inches of concrete.”
Two workers were taken to Good Samaritan Hospital, one for back pain and the other complained of being “dazed and confused,” Canario said.
Canario called the U.S. Labor Department Occupational Safety & Health Administration, which inspected the building and work this afternoon. OSHA could issue additional violations and order a clean-up, authorities said.
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